Paulo back on deck for Makos
Foundation Tasman Mako Ti’i Paulo oddly feels like the new kid on the block.
The now 34-year-old 113kg hooker appreciates the irony of his situation as he prepares to pull on the Makos jersey again in Wednesday’s pre-season clash with Manawatu - 11 years after making his debut for the province.
Paulo was the foundation captain of the Makos and played nine games in their inaugural 2006 season. But he’s back in New Zealand, having re-signed with Tasman after a seven-year stint in France where he played for Clermont and Lyon.
He featured for Renwick in the latter stages of the Marlborough club competition and was a freshfaced 23-year-old the last time he played for the Makos. He now joins lock Alex Ainley as the province’s only remaining foundation members.
He said that after seven years knocking around France, the timing was right to bring his family back to New Zealand
‘‘I’d done my time in France and we were always wanting to come back,’’ Paulo said.
And he’s clearly been impressed by the province’s transition into one of the country’s leading provincial teams - not to mention the swag of young talent still itching to make their mark.
‘‘Having a few trainings with them under my belt now, it’s been awesome to see how they’ve progressed.
‘‘I always followed them while I was away, even when I was here, it’s always been special in my heart this place. It took one or two trainings just to get familiar with things. Even though I have been here before, it was a long time ago, so I felt like a new kid - for an older kid.’’
Paulo’s excited at the prospect of reprising his Tasman career.
‘‘Hopefully I’ve got a little bit wiser and a little bit smarter, but I’m just getting settled into the rugby in New Zealand.
‘‘I’ve been away seven years now from New Zealand rugby so it’s more [about] me picking up on the terminology, the speed of the game, what they’re focusing on and things like that.
‘‘It’s been quite refreshing and something different than what I’ve had in France. Every team has a certain way of playing and how they want to attack and defend and I think it’s just finding where I can fit into there ... and see where I can add value to the team.’’
With Tasman’s incumbent hooker Andrew Makalio still committed to the Crusaders, Paulo starts off the bench against Manawatu at Wellington’s Porirua Domain, giving Brendan AsomuaGoodman the opportunity to stake his claim as the team’s third hooker.
Tasman assistant coach Leo Crowley stressed that since their impressive 49-26 win over the Counties Cavaliers about five weeks ago, players were still competing for spots.
‘‘We backed off the team after Counties because we wanted to let the clubs have a fair crack at the their club championships and we don’t want to overload players,’’ Crowley said.
‘‘So it’s a fresh start, it’s just a building process now to get our shape and the way we want to play the game entrenched in this group before the big boys come back.
‘‘A lot of guys stood out in those last three weeks of club rugby so they’ll get an opportunity. It’s also important going into the competition that we have depth, you the know, the third hooker, the third halfback and third No 7. So those boys will all have the chance to impress and we’ll go from there.
‘‘They’ve continued to trend well on the fitness side of things. I’ve been very happy with the way the boys have attacked the fitness sessions and weights gym.’’
New Zealand Under-20 players Will Jordan and Tima Faingaanuku will start at fullback and winger respectively, with Blues Super Rugby halfback Billy Guyton starting off the bench.
Everyone’s clear about what’s required.
‘‘To play the game at speed and to have that physicality in the collision area whether you’re carrying or whether you’re making a tackle and just try and put some pressure on them when we haven’t got the ball,’’ Crowley said.
Today’s game kicks off at the Porirua Domain at 1pm.